| |  |  | Major new programmes to start | Two ambitious new development programmes that will seek to improve food security and the livelihoods of more than 1.2 million people are being started by Self Help Africa in Zambia and Ethiopia.
Over $3.7 million has been secured from the European Commission for the projects, both of which will take place over a two-year period (2010-2011).
The Seed Entrepreneurship for Economic Development and Food Security (SEEDFS) project in Zambia will increase food security and incomes of farming community by increasing access and supply of good quality seed, while in Ethiopia we will expand our existing Agricultural Co-Operative Development Programme, which links farmers to markets.
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|  | | | Self Help Africa launched in US | Former Irish President and UN High Commissioner Mary Robinson presided at the official United States launch of Self Help Africa.
The official launch took place at a reception hosted by the Consul General of Ireland Mr. Niall Burgess (pictured) in New York in early December. More than 100 guests, including business figures, supporters and other invited guests attended.
Self Help Africa CEO Ray Jordan said the launch in New York was an exciting new chapter in the history of the organisation, which marks its 25th anniversary in 2009. 'The US has traditionally been extremely supportive of work in the developing world, and we look forward to making new friends and forging new links in coming years', he said. |
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|  | | | Minister launches climate report | The Climate Frontline report has now been launched in New York, Dublin and Brussels by Self Help Africa.
At a reception in Dublin, Irish Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the publication was a 'valuable attempt to bring the voices of Africa to the table' in the climate change debate.
At a reception in the European Parliament in Brussels, members and staff from the parliament's environment committee, along with other MEPs, received copies of the publication, along with a briefing from Self Help Africa staff. | |
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|  | | | Presidential reception | | Irish President Mary McAleese hosted a reception at her residence, Aras an Uachtarain, to mark the 25th anniversary of Self Help Africa. A delegation of friends and supporters from across the country joined chairman Tom Corcoran (pictured) and members of the board of directors at the event, at which President McAleese paid tribute to the work being done by Ireland's overseas development agencies. | |
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|  | Farming has 'vital role' | Farming has a vital role to play in enabling millions of Africans to escape the poverty trap, Irish farming president Padraig Walshe said on a recent fact-finding visit to Kenya.
Mr.Walshe, who is also the President of European Farmers Union COPA said that the importance of increasing farm productivity had been brought home during his field visit with Self Help Africa to Kenya.
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| COP15 appeal | Self Help Africa was amongst more than 300 policymakers, farmers and scientists meeting in Copenhagen recently to urge negotiators at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to recognize agriculture’s vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The group strongly endorsed the proposed target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to avoid a temperature increase of more than 2 degrees C. They stressed that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture is essential for achieving the target.
Farmers and researchers are already finding climate change solutions. On that basis, the agricultural community intends to play a proactive role in actions aimed at reducing emissions, while increasing the productive capacity of agriculture through the development.
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|  | | | Living on the Climate Frontline | International concern about climate change is rising, though international action lags behind. While there is a wealth of reports and data demonstrating the effect that climate change will have at global and regional levels, the voices of individuals on the front line are heard less often.
Joining with four other development NGOs, Self Help Africa has produced a report – Climate Frontline Africa – which allows these voices to be heard directly. They describe, in their own words, how climate change is affecting them, and how they are adapting. The report’s publication is timed to coincide with the forthcoming international conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December. | |
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|  | | | UN Secretary receives MDG book | United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was presented with a copy of 'Twenty Fifteen', the first in a series of books being published by Self Help Africa on the Millennium Development Goals, when he visited Dublin recently.
A compendium of creative writing by students and public figures, it also includes contributions by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, Man Booker Prize winner Anne Enright, author Sebastian Barry, and a host of other literary figures.
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| | News from Africa | | The support that we get from the general public and our other donors makes our African programmes possible. Read below a sample of just some of the things that have been happening recently with the people with whom we are working in Africa. | | | | | | | |
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| US Agriculture Secretary at Copenhagen | The United States is committed to tackling the food security needs across the globe, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told an audience in Copenhagen on December 12th.
Secretary Vilsack was speaking to 300 policy makers, negotiators, rural development practitioners, producers, civil society and leaders from the agricultural and climate change scientific community.
At the G-8 Summit earlier this year, international leaders responded to the problem of food security by committing to an increase in international assistance for agricultural development to $22 billion over the next three years. President Obama and the US will seek to provide at least $3.5 billion over that period, said Mr Vilsack.
At the same time, President Obama has also made climate change one of his top domestic priorities. Under the Obama Administration, the United States has done more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than ever before, both by supporting domestic policies that advance clean energy, climate security, and economic recovery; and by vigorously engaging in international climate negotiations. Most recently the President called for a commitment of $10 billion from developed countries to help developing countries deal with climate change.
| | | | | Bike Africa cyclists on route home | Four charity bike riders who travelled overland through Africa for charity are on their return leg, and expect to arrive back to Ireland in the Spring.
Click on the youtube clip below to see the latest visuals from their travels - a leg of the journey from Addis Ababa to Khartoum, Sudan, or visit their web-site by following the links below. | | |
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| EU launch for climate publication |  | | | 'Climate Frontline' was formally launched by Self Help Africa in Brussels recently. The launch took place in the EU Parliament Buildings in Brussels following a meeting of the European Union's Environment Committee. The event was hosted by Irish Labour Party MEP Nessa Childers.
Pictured at the EU launch of Climate Frontline are former Green Party MEP Nuala Ahern, Vittorio Prodi MEP, a brother of former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Nessa Childers MEP, and George Jacob, Steve Langdon and Jenny Rafanomezana of Self Help Africa.
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|  | | Golfer narrowly misses world record | | Young golf pro Robert Hogan narrowly failed in his bid to break the world record for the fastest round of golf this summer. The 23 year old Irish man attempted to shatter the world record of 27 minutes at Foxrock Golf Club in Dublin, but finished just three minutes short of the figure. Robert undertook his record attempt in a fund-raiser for Self Help Africa, and raised thousands of euro for the organisation with his effort. | | | | Marathon man | | Wicklow marathon man Pat Carroll threw his support behind Self Help Africa, when he embarked on his 29th charity marathon, on the October bank holiday. Pat has raised more than €100,000 for different charities from his marathon exploits, and added to that when he raised thousands for Self Help Africa at the 2009 Dublin event. Pat Carroll from Knockananna in Co. Wicklow has supported our work on a number of occasions in the past. The event was his 23rd Dublin Marathon. He has also competed in the London and Belfast marathons. | | |  | | | | Skerries Sodo's Ethiopian trip | | Members of the Skerries Sodo Community Group who are supporting the work of Self Help Africa in the Sodo region of Ethiopia had a chance to see the work for themselves, when they undertook a recent fund-raising trek to the country. | | | | Organise an event | | If you would like to organise a fund-raising event or activity for Self Help Africa why not contact us and find out how we can help you with your efforts. |
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| | | Self Help Africa - Ireland
Annefield House,Dublin Road,
Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland
Tel. +353 (0) 578694034 |
| Self Help Africa Inc.
304 Park Avenue South, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10010, USA
Tel. +1 917 289 0670 |
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